Missing Money Prompts New State Standards

HOUMA, La. (AP) — Jacques Berry, spokesman for the lieutenant governor's office, says misplaced money at the Houma Regional Arts Council has led to new accountability standards for arts councils across the state.

About $40,000 of state money administered by the Houma Regional Arts Council to support the arts was reported missing last month instead of being sent to local arts groups. State officials said they are not sure where it was spent and are investigating.

Berry says arts councils across the state will now have to produce proof that money has cleared their accounts for all grant payments.

Previously, Berry says each arts council had to submit one report a year.